Graduate Tax Trainee in Guildford

About Hamlyns

Hamlyns is a reputable and friendly firm of Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditors and business advisers based in Woking. We look after clients across a range of sectors, including family businesses, professional services, public sector bodies, owner‑managed companies, landlords, entrepreneurs and private clients.

The role

This is an entry‑level tax training role within our private client and tax team. You will receive structured training and support while learning how to prepare tax returns, communicate with clients, understand tax legislation, and develop professional judgement. You will work with experienced tax and accounting professionals and will gradually take on responsibility as your knowledge and confidence develops.

Your work will include:

• Assisting with the preparation of personal tax returns;
• Helping clients gather the information needed for their tax returns;
• Preparing schedules for employment income, self‑employment income, rental income, dividends, interest and capital gains;
• Assisting with P11D preparation;
• Learning how to review HMRC records, tax codes and statements of account;
• Preparing client correspondence and file notes;
• Helping the team meet statutory filing deadlines;
• Assisting with basic tax research;
• Supporting colleagues with private client, owner‑managed business and compliance work;
• Learning how to manage time, budgets and client expectations.

As your experience develops, you will have the opportunity to work on more complex matters, including property tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, residence matters, partnerships and owner‑managed business tax.

Why train with Hamlyns?

We are a smaller firm with a broad client base, which means our trainees see more than they would in many larger firms. You will not be one of a large intake performing narrow work. You will be part of a team and will gain direct exposure to clients, senior staff and partners. We want our trainees to become capable, confident professionals. That means we will expect you to work hard, study properly and take responsibility, but we will also give you the support, training and opportunity needed to develop. Our approach is simple: train people well enough that they could leave, and treat them well enough that they do not want to.

At Hamlyns, you will gain:

• Practical experience with real clients;
• Technical training from experienced staff;
• External professional study support;
• Direct exposure to client communication;
• Experience in a professional office environment;
• The opportunity to develop commercial judgement and soft skills;
• A career route in tax within a respected local firm.

Training and qualifications

We expect the successful candidate to study towards a professional tax qualification. The likely initial route will be ATT, with the potential to progress on to ICAEW/CTA joint pathway depending on performance, aptitude and business need. We will support your training through:

• External study courses;
• Paid study and exam leave;
• Textbooks and study materials;
• Internal mentoring and review;
• Regular progress meetings;
• Practical experience alongside your studies.

You do not need to know tax before you start, but you must be able to show the academic ability, motivation and discipline needed to study while working full time.

Requirements

This role is based at our office in Woking and is 100% office‑based. Due to the nature of the role, the study requirements and the cost of living in the area, applicants must already be based within a reasonable commute of our office. We do not consider relocation practical for this role. Successful applicants should have:

• A minimum upper second‑class degree, 2:1, from a UK university;
• 3 A levels, grades A‑C, with a minimum of 120 UCAS points under the new tariff, excluding General Studies;
• GCSE Maths and English at grade B / grade 6 or above;
• A genuine interest in tax and professional services;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Good attention to detail;
• The ability to work accurately under deadlines;
• A positive, collaborative and helpful attitude;
• The ability to learn from feedback;
• Good judgement and problem‑solving ability;
• A strong sense of commerciality and responsibility;
• A valid full UK driving licence and access to a car;
• The right to work in the UK for more than 3 years.

Sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must be able to commute to our Woking office within approximately 30 minutes. Applications that do not clearly state current location and intended commute may be rejected.